ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
Jute Prices and Ceiling on Jute Bag Prices
A number of actions has been taken by Office of Jute Commissioner against the persons and firms indulging in malpractices. Several complaints have been lodged to the law enforcing agencies against firms for breaching the provisions of the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016. Orders imposing prohibition of supply have been issued against firms indulging in unfair practices. Search and seizure operations have also been issued under provisions of Jute & Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016. Complaints raised by State Foodgrain Procurement Agencies  on damaged bales/short receipts through online portal  are being verified through a Joint Inspection  and appropriate action is being contemplated/taken on the supplier jute mills as per provisions of the Jute & Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016.
Some of the steps taken by the Office of the Jute Commissioner to control the irregularities in the jute sector which adversely affect the jute business are:
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An end-to-end web-based platform has been developed since November, 2016 for procurement, inspection and dispatch of B. Twill jute bags by the State Procurement Agencies as per JPM Act, 1987 which is transparent, rule based, simple to use and real time.
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To prevent and control black-marketing, stocking and speculation in raw jute and its enhanced price monitoring, the Jute Commissioner is entitled with the power to regulate stocks of raw jute by any manufacturer, specify the maximum quantity of raw jute possessed in a given time period, regulate the capacity of the manufacturer to manufacture jute textiles as well as the need to maintain stability in the prices of raw jute and the power to ensure easy availability of raw jute from any stockist.
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To check the flow of illegal imports, in accordance with powers vested under the Jute & Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016, Jute Commissioner had issued Notifications directing all Manufacturers, Importers, Processors and Traders to mark/ print/ brand certain words on the items of jute and jute textiles. In case of import of jute bags, the words “Bag made in – Country of Origin” are required to be marked/ printed/ branded. As on 20th November 2019, 503 importers and 331 traders have registered their units with Office of Jute Commissioner and are required to submit monthly reports providing details of imports in a given format.
Government has not revised the ceiling of the prices of jute bags.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, in written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Information about fake website
A fake website, https://niwrb-gov.org, which claims to be recruiting for the positions of Administration Oﬃcer, Sinchpal, and Sinchpal Supervisor under the National Irrigation and Water Resources Board has come to notice of Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation , Ministry of Jal Shakti.
DoWR, RD &GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti hereby clariﬁes that the aforesaid website is fake and no organization titled National Irrigation and Water Resources Board is related to this Department.
DoWR, RD &GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti has lodged a complaint regarding the aforesaid fake website at Cybercrime Online portal on 22.06.2023 for further appropriate action. Also, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team  has been requested by this Department for blocking the fake website and taking appropriate action against the website's owners.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 41.69 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 2.74 Crore balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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41,69,24,550
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IN PIPELINE
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18,16,140
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CONSUMPTION
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38,94,87,442
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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2,74,37,108
More than 41.69 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 18,16,140 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 38,94,87,442 doses .
More than 2.74 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
President's Secretariat
President of India pays homage to Dr. Zakir Hussain on his Birth Anniversary
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid homage to Dr Zakir Hussain, former President of India, on the occasion of his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . The President and officials of Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of Dr Zakir Hussain.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Development of Dairy Farming
In order to provide assistance to farmers for dairy farming and its development, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementingthe following schemes:  Rashtriya Gokul Mission;  National Programme for Dairy Development;  Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund;  Support to State Dairy Cooperative Societies and Farmers Producers Organisations;  Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme  and  Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund. Benefits of these schemes being implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying accrue to more than 8 crore dairy farmers engaged in dairying in the form of enhancement in milk production and productivity, milk procurement, processing and marketing including across to modern technology. Government has also extended Kissan Credit Card  facility to Animal Husbandry farmers for their working capital requirement wherein farmers either individual or joint borrower, Joint Liability Groups or Self Help Groups including tenant farmers having owned/rented/leased sheds are eligible for getting benefits under the scheme.
Interest subvention provision available under the schemes being implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is as under:
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund  – under the scheme 3% interest subvention is made available to the beneficiaries availing credit under the scheme.
- One of the components of the scheme Rashtriya Gokul Mission is to promote establishment of breed multiplication farm on hub and spoke model. Under the scheme 50% capital subsidy is available for eligible entrepreneurs . Entrepreneurs assisted under establishment of breed multiplication farm are also eligible for interest subvention under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund.
- Support to State Dairy Cooperative & Farmers Producers Organization : under the scheme one time support in the form of Interest subvention on working capital loans has been introduced from the financial year 2020-21.
- Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund - This scheme is being implemented with the objective of Creation/ strengthening of Milk Processing, Value addition & chilling facilities. Under the scheme, NABARD raises the fund from market and disburse loan to dairy cooperatives with 2.5% interest subvention through National Dairy Development Board and National Cooperative Development Corporation . Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying provides 2.5% interest subvention to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development .
This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Government working with RBI on Industry’s need for loan restructuring: Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
• Says, Reciprocity is a very critical point in our trade negotiations; Banks cannot refuse credit to MSMEs under emergency credit facility
The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman today said that the government is working with RBI on the Industry’s need for the restructuring of loans due to the COVID-19 impact. While addressing the National Executive Committee Meeting  of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry , Smt. Sitharaman said, “The focus is on restructuring. Finance ministry is actively engaged with RBI on this. In principle, the idea that there may be a restructuring required, is well taken.”
Elaborating on the extensive consultations on the reform measures that are being announced by the government, Smt. Sitharaman said, “Every step which is being announced and taken, is taken after exhaustive consultations with the stakeholders and within the government to make sure that no step is going to be a failure because we did not make necessary collateral changes. We have taken these steps to ensure that the impact is felt on the ground.”
Addressing the concerns raised by the FICCI members on the difficulties faced by the MSMEs in taking loans under the Emergency Credit Guarantee Scheme announced by the government, Smt. Sitharaman said that, “Banks cannot refuse credit to MSMEs covered under emergency credit facility. If refused, such instances must be reported. I will look into it.”
On the FICCI suggestion for creation of a Development Finance Institution to handle the emerging credit requirements of the industry, the Finance Minister said, “The work is going on the Development Finance Institution. What shape it will take, we will know shortly.”
Stressing on the need for reciprocity in trade deals, Smt. Sitharaman said, “Reciprocal arrangements are being asked with the countries with which we have opened up our markets. Reciprocity is a very critical point in our trade negotiations.”
The Finance minister said that the decision on reducing GST rates on the healthcare and other products will be taken by the GST Council.
Smt. Sitharaman said the Finance Ministry is working with RBI on the demand of the hospitality sector for extension of moratorium, or restructuring. “I fully understand the requirements of the hospitality sector on extension of the moratorium, or restructuring. We are working with RBI on this,” She said.
FICCI President Dr Sangita Reddy appreciated the government’s proactive approach in dealing with the situation. “While the green shoots of recovery are being seen, sustaining this improvement in the operational parameters of businesses will require continuous support from the government. The support is particularly needed in the realm of strengthening market demand and to boost demand,” said Dr Reddy.
FICCI Senior Vice President Mr Uday Shankar delivered the vote of thanks and said that the chamber would work with the government in mitigating the challenges faced by the industry.
RM/KMN
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Prime Minister's Office
PM to deliver inaugural address at National Metrology Conclave on 4 January
PM to dedicate National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya to the Nation
PM to also lay Foundation Stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave on 4th January 2021 via video conferencing. He will also dedicate ‘National Atomic Timescale’, and ‘Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya’ to the nation, and lay the foundation stone of the ‘National Environmental Standards Laboratory’. Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan will also be present on the occasion.
The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond. Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya is supporting testing and calibration of laboratories for quality assurance, at par with international standards. The National Environmental Standards Laboratory will aid self-reliance in the certification of ambient air and industrial emission monitoring equipment.
About the Conclave
National Metrology Conclave 2021 is being organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory , New Delhi, which is entering into its 75th year of inception. The theme of the conclave is ‘Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation’.
Ministry of Defence
President Smt Droupadi Murmu approves President’s Tatrakshak Medal and Tatrakshak Medals to ICG Personnel on the eve of Independence Day
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST OR USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE AUGUST 15, 2022, 0001 HRS
President Smt Droupadi Murmu, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has approved President’s Tatrakshak Medal  and Tatrakshak Medal  to the following Indian Coast Guard Personnel for their act of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished/meritorious service on the eve of the Independence Day 2022.
President’s Tatrakshak Medal 
- IG Shri Dinesh Rajaputhran, TM  
Tatrakshak Medal 
- Commandant Kunal Chandrakant Naik 
Tatrakshak Medal 
- DIG Shri Prashant Kumar Sharma 
- DIG Shri Pankaj Verma 
- Shri Prakash, PSE , 07246-T
ABB/SR/DK/SK
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Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds farmers of India
In his Mann ki Baat address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that during the COVID crisis, the farmers of the country have shown tremendous resilience.
Prime Minister said that if the agriculture sector is strong, then the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat will remain strong. He noted that in the recent past, the sector has liberated from many restrictions and has tried to break free from many myths. He shared the example of Shri Kanwar Chauhan, a farmer from Haryana, who used to face great difficulties in marketing his fruits and vegetables outside the mandi, but in 2014, fruits and vegetables were excluded from the APMC Act, which greatly benefited him. He formed a Farmer Producer’s Organization and farmers in his village now cultivate sweet corn and baby corn and supply produce directly to Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, to big retail chains and Five Star Hotels, which has substantially boosted their income. Prime Minister underlined that these farmers have the power to sell their fruits and vegetables, anywhere and to anyone, which is the foundation of their progress, and now the same has been imparted to farmers all over the country, for the entire spectrum of their produce.
Prime Minister also cited the benefits accruing to farmers due to exclusion of fruits and vegetables from APMC purview by sharing the example of Sri Swami Samarth Farm Producer Company Limited - a Farmer Producer’s Organization in Maharashtra. He noted that farmers in Pune and Mumbai are running weekly markets themselves and selling directly without middlemen. He also talked about Tamil Nadu Banana farmer produce company, a collective of farmers, which purchased hundreds of metric tons of vegetables, fruits and bananas from nearby villages during the lockdown, and supplied a vegetable combo kit to Chennai. He mentioned the ‘Irada Farmer Producer’ group from Lucknow who, during the lockdown, procured fruits and vegetables directly from the cultivators' fields, and sold directly in the markets of Lucknow, free from the middlemen.
Prime Minister noted that through innovations and application of new techniques, agriculture will progress further. He cited the example of Ismail Bhai, a farmer from Gujarat, who took up farming despite being discouraged by his family. He cultivated potatoes using drip irrigation technology - the high quality potatoes are now his hallmark, which he sells directly to large companies without middlemen, and earns huge profits. Prime Minister also shared the story of Ms. Bijay Shanti from Manipur who launched a start-up to develop thread from the Lotus stem, and noted that her efforts and innovations have opened new avenues in the fields of lotus farming and textile.
Ministry of Defence
81 GENTLEMAN CADETS PASSOUT FROM OFFICERS’ TRAINING ACADEMY, GAYA
The Officers’ Training Academy , Gaya wore a traditional military look on the occasion of 20th Passing Out Parade. Today 81 officers of the Technical Entry Scheme -38 including 09 officers from Friendly Foreign Countries and 18 officers of Special Commissioned Officers Course -47 passed out of OTA, Gaya. The SCO Course also included 14 Gentleman Cadets who were commissioned as officers in Assam Rifles. In addition, 60 Gentlemen Cadets of TES-44 Course proceeded to various Army Cadet Training Wings to pursue a degree in Engineering at Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow and College of Military Engineering, Pune. The Gentlemen Cadets enthralled everyone with their smart and synchronised drill movements.
Lieutenant General G A V Reddy, Commandant, OTA, Gaya was the Reviewing Officer of the parade.
The coveted Sword of Honour for standing first in order of merit amongst the passing out Technical Entry Scheme Course was awarded to Gentleman Cadet Aditya Vansh Arya and the Silver Medal for standing first in the order of merit amongst the passing out Special Commissioned Officers Course was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Dhanesh AV. Gurez Company was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Banner for Autumn Term 2021 for Best Overall Performance as a company.
Lieutenant General G A V Reddy urged the newly commissioned officers to make their Nation and their Alma Mater proud by rendering selfless, dedicated and professional service. He emphasised the importance of being scholar warriors, spearheading innovative responses to myriad challenges on the battlefield so as to outthink and outperform the adversaries. He also exhorted the Passing Out Course to condition themselves and the soldiers under their command to the rapidly changing dynamics of combat by increasing their technical prowess.
Congratulating the proud parents who were witnessing the Parade, Lieutenant General G A V Reddy said that they were amongst the lucky few whose sons will get the opportunity to serve in the Armed Forces which stand amongst the best in the world. The academy has been rendering quality military training to Foreign Gentleman Cadets from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Laos and Vietnam, to name a few, to be successful military leaders of their respective national Armies. The bonhomie with fellow Gentleman Cadets at the academy will go a long way in generating goodwill between the nations.
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SC/VBY/KRC
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
On 3rd day of ITPGRFA, GB9 holds deliberations on three most significant issues of Plant Treaty
On 3rd day of the 9th Session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture , GB9 held deliberations on following most significant issues of Plant Treaty.
- India pushes for focus on communities, farmer-conservers and women as “Guardians of Crop Diversity”.
The GB9 finalized a resolution on “Celebrating the Guardians of Crop Diversity” to recognize the role of communities, farmer-conservers and women as “Guardians of Crop Diversity” in conservation and continued availability of crop diversity.
- India assumes leadership role to steer consultation on enhancement of MLS
The GB-9 established a ‘Contact Group’ to guide a draft process for re-starting the negotiations which broke down during the GB-8 on package of measures to enhance the functioning of the MLS of Plant Treaty. Delegates of GB-9 held the first informal meeting of the Contact Group to take the agenda forward in the plenary discussion.
- India draws attention of GB-9 to funding status of ICRISAT
ICRISAT is not part of ‘one-CGIAR’ but continues to be a CGAIR Genebank as defined by Article 15 of the Treaty. India demanded that GB-9 deliberate on the issue of continued funding of ICRISAT Genebank.
- India demands deliberations on Digital Sequence Information in Plant Treaty independent of CBD
Under Agenda 17 for consideration of Digital Sequence Information  discussed in the GB9  Meeting, India endorsed the need for continuation of technical deliberations to provide clarity of definition, scope, jurisdiction, nature of implementation and access and benefit sharing mechanisms for fulfilling the objectives of ITPGRFA.
DSI has been a difficult issue to resolve in all international fora. Since ITPGRFA deliberations are relatively ahead in content and practical in nature, India argued that DSI issue should be resolved without compromising on the discussions on multilateral system enhancement.
India further reiterated that ITPGRFA should not wait for Convention on Biological Diversity  to resolve DSI issue, since ITPGRFA deliberations are relatively ahead in content, delineated in scope and easy to implement.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman.
Both leaders reviewed the functioning of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Council established in 2019, and expressed satisfaction about the steady growth in the India-Saudi partnership. Prime Minister expressed his desire to further expand trade and investment between the two countries, and highlighted the opportunities that the Indian economy offers to Saudi investors.
The leaders agreed to continue supporting each other's efforts against the the COVID-19 pandemic, in the spirit of the special friendship and people-to-people links between India and Saudi Arabia. They also reviewed regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to HRH the Crown Prince to visit India at an early date.
Ministry of Railways
Clarification regarding news being published about Waiting list for trains from 2024
Various newspapers and online publications have given wide coverage to draft National Rail Plan.
Some of the news reports appear to suggest that Railways has said that there would be No waiting list with effect from 2024 or only confirmed tickets would be available by 2024.
Railways would like to explain and clarify that efforts are being made to increase the capacity to make trains available on demand. This would reduce the possibility of passengers getting waitlisted. Wait list is a provision that remains whenever the demand for travelers in a given train is more than number of berths or seats available . The provision is not being done away "Waitlist" is a provision which act as a buffer to mitigate the fluctuations in demand and availability.